Pulp Dissolver Sensor Control for Contaminant Rope Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pulper control systems are inadequate in responding to fluctuating contaminant content in recycled fiber materials, leading to disruptions in reject removal and increased wear on pulper components.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of radar and imaging sensors to detect surface contours and vibrations in the pulper, allowing for real-time adjustment of paper supply and removal speed to maintain consistent contaminant removal, thereby preventing rope breakage and jamming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual control of ragger rope speed is used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but response adequacy to contaminant fluctuations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidresponse adequacy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical control of the ragger rope speed with an automated sensor-based control system. Sensors detect surface contours and vibrations in the pulper, and this information is used to automatically adjust the ragger rope speed, eliminating the need for manual intervention while ensuring adequate response to contaminant fluctuations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If automated sensor control is implemented, then response adequacy to contaminant fluctuations improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse adequacyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces sensors as intermediary devices that detect surface contours and vibrations in the pulper. These sensors act as mediators between the physical state of the contaminant rope and the control system, providing indirect but effective measurement without requiring direct contact with the contaminant rope itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If ragger rope speed is not adjusted, then device complexity is minimized, but reject removal effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidreject removal effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the ragger rope speed based on real-time detection of surface contours and vibrations. The system transitions from a static, fixed-speed operation to a dynamic, adaptive operation where the speed is continuously adjusted to match the varying contaminant load, thereby maintaining effective reject removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Stability of the object's composition

If early detection of contaminant load is implemented, then reject removal uniformity improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereject removal uniformityVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary detection of contaminant load by monitoring surface contours and vibrations in the pulper before the contaminant rope is fully formed. This early detection allows the system to take preventive action by adjusting the ragger rope speed in advance, ensuring uniform reject removal and preventing rope breakage or jamming.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables more precise and consistent removal of contaminants, reducing pulper malfunctions and extending the lifespan of equipment by maintaining uniform contaminant rope thickness and density.

Implementation Method 1

a first sensor, in particular a radar sensor (43), is provided for detecting a surface contour (42)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Implementation Method 2

a second sensor, in particular a vibration sensor (61), is provided for detecting movements, in particular vibration amplitude and/or vibration frequency, of the contaminant rope (53)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP4411063A1Device and method for producing a fibrous material suspension
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 VOITH PATENT GMBH
  • EP4411063A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4411063A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4411063A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a pulp dissolver for shredding and suspending paper pulp, an arrangement comprising a pulp dissolver, and a method for operating the pulp dissolver. The invention includes a sensor for detecting surface structure. Based on the detected surface structure, conclusions can be drawn about the suspension formed in the pulp dissolver. This makes it possible to influence the formation of contaminants at an early stage.